Improvement in galvanic batteries



G. W.. FREED. .GALVANIG BATTERY.

No. 43,014. I Patented June '7, 1864.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

GEORGE W. FREED, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GALVANIC BATTERIES.

- following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery, showing the top A with its two pairs of connecting screw-taps, and pair of connected per forations for the Zinc points and single one for the platina, having metallic linings around them, which come in contact with the several points on their respective plates of zinc and platina. Fig 2 shows the under side of the lid or top A and manner of the connections be tween the lined perforations and screw-taps on top by means of copper wires. Fig. 3is a cap, B, of gutta-percha or its equivalent, fitting over the box or vessel 0, Fig.4,having perforations, as shown; Fig. 4', the box or vessel C, with the several plates in the end grooves restin g on the lower ledge of said vessel. Fig. 5 shows the two zinc plates Z, with their points z, and the platina plate 1?, with its point p and metallic top 1?, detached from the box. Fig. 6 shows one end of the vessel O inside, (on a reduced scale, as Fig. 1,) with its grooves and lower resting-ledge for the reception of the plates Z and plate P, with its projecting top P". The vessel 0 may be made of well-seasoned wood coated with japan or varnish, or of guttapercha or other material, with its end grooves and bottom ledge, for the purpose specified.

The construction of the vessel 0, with its end grooves and outer flanges, c, which latter are to aid in holding while removing the top, is readily understood by the drawings as already explained, as well as the manner of inserting the plates and filling in the diluted sulphuric acid in the ordinary manner, along with free quicksilver kept in the vessel to promote the uniformity of its action, requires no further explanation. The level ground top of the vessel 0, with the inserted platesand projecting tips and dilute acid in place, is now covered with the gutta-percha cap B, fitting tightly on the box and over its sides and ends and around the projecting plate-points, preventing all possibility of spilling the acid or its evaporation. The top A, with its several parts, as described, is then pressed down over the capB and box or vessel 0. The intervening cap B also prevents all contact between its wires (or their connections with the taps and metallic rings) and acid or vessel 0.

The advantages obtained by this arrangement are important. It is truly a portable battery,which can be handled in any manner whatever without spilling the acid or dribbling from the plates in removing the acid into a bottle and replacing it again when required, to the great injury of the clothing, carpets, &c. The physician can arrange his battery in the mornin g and treat his patients all the day, and readily take his battery to the patient in cases of apoplexy, spasmodic afi'ections, &c. The ledge in the grooves keeps the plates from the bottom of the vessel, thereby aflording a free circu1ation from the zinc to the platina, and being equi-' distant in their fixed position in the grooves, the current is more uniform. As the zinc plates are more rapidly decomposed on that side facing the platina, causing an irregular surface in the plates, as also irregularity in currents produced, the ease with which the change of the plates can be made by reversing them o as to restore their equal action is of great advantage. The charged battery .is more durable in its action, as no waste arises from evaporation, no oxidation of the wires'or taps from its fumes by the intervention of the air-tight cap saving the labor of constant, cleaning, in addition to its other numerous advantages, and is easily 'cleaned,when absolutely-necessary from alongcontinued use, by each plate being separate and easily lifted from its groove, in which it fits olosely.

To obtain a purely galvanic current the end screw-taps, 17 and 2 are used for attaching the wires for an electromagnetic current. The side screwtaps, p and k, are connected with any helix now in use for such or similar purposes.

This battery may be in closed in a box containing a helix in a separate compartment as some glass vessels, with the plates fastened to a top cross-piece and suspended in the acid contained in the vessel, are in use in connection with a helix in the same box, but exceedingly objectionable, as they are only portable by first removing the acid, to say nothing of the consequences resulting by such waste and spilling of the acid even with care. This attery can be used singly, or any number of them connected together, so as to obtain a galvanic current of any strength, quantity, or intensity desired, and would thus form a desirable arrangement for telegraph-operators, especially when operating between stations or in capins, on the field or march.

v I am aware that the plates employed, acid,

wires, and connections, with or without a helix are not new, nor do 1 claim such as any part of my invention- 7 What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1'. The vessel G, with its groovesZ p z in each end, bottom ledge-,and end hold, a, when constructed in the manner and for the purpose specified. 1

2. The projecting points z'pz on the plates, each plateset separately in its groove, in combination with the cap B, made of gutta-pcrcha or its equivalent, applied in the manner and for the purpose specified.

3. The cover or lid A, with its one or two pairs otflscrew-taps, p z and 12 2 andperforations for the plate-points p and z z, the latter pair connected by a band aboveand wire beneath, which points come in contact with the metallic rings, and connectedwith theirrcspecti-ve screw-taps, as shown, all arranged substantially in the manner specified.

4. The covering or cap B, made of gutta-- percha or its equivalent, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

GEORGE W. FREED. Witnesses:

-.WM. B. WILEY, J AOOB STAUFFER. 

